Chapter 15: Trick or Trap
"Take another right at the corner here. No, not left! Right. RIGHT" The mutant pig yelled as the Bebop and Rocksteady van swerved violently in a u-turn to correct the mistake.
"This path takes us out of town"
"I know Dog, but the car has been stationary for days, it's heading this direction for a reason. Plus I bet that if Stockman has some sort of hideout it's going to be outside of town someplace rather than slap dab in the middle of town in that townhouse, the car has been parked at, all week."
The mutant Rhino let out a sigh. "I don't know Bebop, I got a bad feeling about this. Like it could be a trap"
"It's no trap dog. Dude doesnt' know we're following him. Heck he probably doesn't even know we're in town"
"How do you reason that?"
"How would he know I put a tracker on his car back in Jersey. Plus Dee wanted us to lay low for awhile just to make sure he didn't see us coming and look it paid off"
Rocksteady just shrugged, the mutant Rhino following the windy dirt road to the outskirts of town to the base of what looked like an abandoned hiking trail up the semi-large hill that overlooked the town.
"I don't see anything Bebop" the Rhino commented slamming the door as he exited the van looking around the empty area for any sign of life in the fading evening light. It was late summer so the sun would stay out for several hours longer but the first hint of sunset could just be seen as the sun sank behind the nearby hilltop.
Bebop looked around seeing no sign of life or activity. No buildings, no people, no road except for the dirt one they had followed here. Even the hiking trail looked moderately abandoned with weeds and grass covering the unkept rocky path, the trail head sign sat faded and crooked on the post.
"This is erry, dog" the mutant Pig whispered, Rocksteady nodded in agreeance.
As they rounded the hill the old town car they had seen a week ago in Jersey sat in plain sight. "You got me" Baxter smirked as he raised his hands partially in the air.
Bebop felt a chill run up his spine as a familiar figure stepped out from around the car. If a few years ago someone would have told the large mutant Pig and Rhino that they would one day fear the small non-intimidating Baxter Stockman they would have laughed. But now the two large mutants stood stock still as the scientist strolled toward them, his confidence and control evident; contrary to the groveling,timid puppet they had known under Shredder.
"Oh" Stockman raised an eyebrow. "No, greeting? Hm you're not going to call me Dexter Spackman, Blister Stockboy, Dorkster Blockhead or my personal favorite Stinkman" Baxters voice was an angry calm.
Bebop and Rocksteady exchanged glances.
"Oh words can hurt" Baxter continued to rant. "You know what else can hurt? Lack of recognition, constantly being shunned or stepped on, manipulated and used. Never seen for your true potential or recognized in any way, only called on and threatened when you're needed." Baxters fists clenched, his eyes hard as his voice grew more icy. "But I escaped that life. I have forged my new one, from the ashes the phoenix has risen." The two mutants exchanged glances, not sure how to take the emotional and dramatic tangent. "I have forged ahead and overcome my past. Now that I have a new beginning I will do whatever it takes to secure it. Even if it means resorting to drastic and morally questionable means to ensure my own safety. I will not lose everything!"
"Okay, this just went from an erry trap in the middle of nowhere to a full out villain monologue. I have no idea what you're talking about here dog but it screams some sort of evil plan" Bebop said before shooting his friend a gesture and rushing toward the Scientist. Stockman jumped out of the way racing back toward the car with a high pitched squeal. With that the chase began. Stockman was far from athletic and not versed in any fighting form whatsoever but he'd had hours to prepare and thus had set up a variety of traps for the two large mutants. The crafty scientist led them through a labyrinth of strategically placed traps. Large feet stumbled over trip wires resulting in shocks, nets, and other small traps and tricks. The two found themselves tiring and growing more and more irritable and reckless.
"That's it!" Bebop yelled, sending out a cascade of lasers from his belt blowing up several of small gizmos scattered around the area.
With a loud yell of fury Rocksteady tore through the net that entangled him running head on into a tree sending it crashing to the ground.
"Freeze" Stockmans voice was cold. The two mutants looked up at the voice only to stare down the barrel of an odd looking gun. Baxter stood on top of the town car, his aim pinning them helplessly to the spot.
"I hope you like Bacon, Bebop" Baxter smiled mischievously "one spray of this and you'll turn into the wee little piggy who cried we we wee all the way home" The phone in Baxters hand stopped ringing, the two didn't even know that he'd pulled out the device let alone dial it. "Hello Animal Control. Please come quick. I want to report a raging Rhino. It's out of control! I'm afraid for my life!" he cried sending a mischievous smile down to the two helpless mutants. "I believe I'm not too far from your headquarters, near the abandoned hiking trail right off the main road." With a grin he hung up the call cutting off the voice on the other end.
Bebop narrowed his eyes and beside him Rocksteady let out a growl.
"Don't worry" Stockman smiled "you won't remember a thing."
My feet made no sound as I walked along the forgotten trailhead.
I had sounded insane.
After that revelation with Baxter, I didn't know what to do, I just knew I couldn't stay there any longer. Going to the police station seemed like a sensible solution. Logical. Responsible.
Suspended
Mutantagen. Evil plots. Maps on the wall.
I basically accused my brother of being some evil scientist from a cheezy cartoon.
Avery, the captain of my unit didn't even look at the evidence I brought it.
I was lucky I was only suspended.
He didn't believe a word I said. Just told me to take some time off. Take a breather. He even asked if this had something to do with my amnesia. Asked if I had any other 'head related problems' that accompanied the accident. Just Why?!
Sure it's a far fetched story.
I come into the station off duty to report a crime. One that involves my brother mutating me and planning to use the mutagen in my blood to mutate villains from his dark and dangerous past!
UGG!
I grab my head pulling at my hair in growing frustration at the absurdence of my story. Of the whole situation!
How many people have to deal with complicated situations such as amnesia, or falsified family relationships, or a 'brother's' dark history with the foot clan or mutants.
Anger bubbles up within me. Throwing my head back I scream at the uncaring sky above. "WHY?!"
Why was this happening to me?
Why did Baxter lie to me?
Why can't I remember?
Why..why can't i just have a normal life.
I felt a lump form in my throat once more. Because of course, I can't just be controlled about this situation. I feel as though everything is slipping through my fingers. I've never felt so lost or confused about anything in my entire life!
Yesterday, everything was fine. Everything made sense. Of course now I know, that was all a lie. But still my life was under control. I knew who I was. I knew what I should be doing. I felt like I had a purpose. A belonging.
And now..
I have nothing under control! I don't know who I am and I hate that! This is the second time that I've had no idea who I am or where I belong or even what I should be doing. I don't have a purpose; except to keep this mutagen away from Baxter, because there is no way in Hell, I'm letting him mutant anyone else. I'm aimless. Going to the police didn't work. Captain Avery, didn't believe me. My own partner Parker didn't believe me. But who would? It's such an incredible story to say the least. A story coming from the new member on the team..with amnesia.
I let out another groan covering my face in my hands with exasperation.
I feel like that lost kid in the hospital bed all over again, only this time Baxter isn't there to help me. This time I'm on my own. Noone telling me who I am. It's up to me: Peter, to figure out how to fix this crazy situation.
I let out a breath.
First things first. I need to get out of town.
The police didn't believe me so I can't expect any aid from their end.
On the plus side, I have an unspecified amount of time off and although skipping town right now won't help my case in Avery's book, I won't technically be neglecting any responsibilities.
Without the responsibilities of a job I don't necessarily feel guilty for leaving town and I can't possibly stay here. I'm not exactly sure what I should do with the information I have at my fingertips, whether I should try to find someone who would believe me, or try to warn the mutants Baxter would target, or even try to track down my past, I don't know. All I know is my best bet would be to head to New York. Baxter left the city for a reason. Plus, his past and therefore mine derived from that area, if there are any clues either about Baxter's plan or my past it would be there.
And as I don't necessarily want to take the bus again, taking the car would be the best bet. Baxter said he parked it out here by the abandoned hiking trail, something to do with a tracking device. Either way, that's something I need to check out.
Cries of pain and frustration pulled me out of my thoughts, Picking up my pace I rushed toward the old trail head the noises growing loader the closer I got. An uneasy feeling settled over me as I took in the scene before me. What appeared to be a large mutant rhino in a mixture of gold and camo battle armor was tangled in a fishing net screaming in frustration, his large feet stumbling over strategically placed tripwires activating several of short shocks from random locations, keeping him trapped and constantly looking for the source of pain.
"Hee hee" I turned to see a large mutant pig with a bright purple Mohawk, dressed in eighties clothes dancing through a tirade of homemade gadgets shooting lasers at his feet. Unlike his companion instead of fruitlessly trying to smash everything in sight, the mutant pig was working on pinpointing the source of the shock. Dancing around the series of blue shocks, letting out a series of hoops and hee hee's the mutant pig worked to destroy the contraptions with his own lazers.
I shook my head in confusion sneaking along through the foliage trying to get to the car. I had seen this mutants on Baxters wall, which meant that this 'trap' they had stumbled upon was definitely meant for them and I bet a distraction to keep them preoccupied.
Sure enough I saw Baxter make his way onto the car weapon in hand. The mutagen gun was attached to the engine of the car with a series of hazardous jump cables, probably working as some sort of energy source. Not wanting to wait to see this plan develop any further I slipped up the trunk of a nearby tree trying to make it toward the branches that hung just above where the car was placed, the old oak trees were sturdy and could hold my weight.
"That's it" came an angry voice and below I watched as the mutant pig sent out a cascade of lasers from his belt blowing up the remaining gizmos. I quickened my pace wanting to get to Baxter before these newcomers did. I may not be happy with him right now but I also didn't want him to get pounded to a pulp.
As though sensing my thoughts the angry rhino below let out a battle yell before charging through the nets running head first into the tree I was in. I nearly let out a startled yelp as the tree I was in suddenly gave a shutter at the force before giving way fully to gravity. Bracing myself I set my feat against the branch I was in and pushed back against it full force propelling myself away from the falling tree and toward the outstretching branches of the neighbouring oak.
Grasping frantically I managed to grab a fistfull of a branch halting my trek toward the awaiting ground several feet below. I let out a shaky breath as I looked down at the developing scene below as I dangled in the treetops not wanting to test my luck any further, I shifted my weight back and forth until I had enough momentum to swing onto the nearby branch. Pulling my weight fully onto the large branch I continued my journey toward the outward stretch of smaller branches just above the car. I shook my head at the chilling tone my brother used as he faked fear, calling the local animal control for help. Baxter had this planned out quite strategically, the series of traps keeping the two mutants occupied the lure that also provided a power source for his weapon, and even the location of the crime only a few miles from the local animal control. My heart rate quickly as Baxter hung up on the concerned voices on the other end of the phone using both hands now to hold the weapon that had the two large mutants pinned to the spot.
The large rhino let out a guttural growl of an animal backed into a corner stepping ever so slightly in front of his smaller companion.
"Don't worry" the corner of Baxter's mouth turned up slightly. "You won't remember a thing"
Those five words sent chills down my spine. Before I even processed what I was doing I was flying through the air an angry cry ripping through my soul and out my mouth. My foot connected with Baxters face sending the man flying off the car and crashing to the ground. My arrival seemed to break the icy tension and as though released from a cage the two mutants jumped into action.
Dred coursed through me as the angry rhino ran toward Baxter who was in the process of feeling around for his glasses that had fallen off his face when I kicked him.
Hurtling myself off the car I angled my body like an arrow, instincts taking over. My feet connected with the face of the rhino such a blow would have knocked a normal opponent unconscious but the blow only made the large mutant stumble. Luckily it was enough to send him off track from his target as he stumbled head first into a large fir instead of ramming head first into my brother..I mean Baxter..Urg!
"Hey" I registered the sudden light before pain as a laser at my feet made me stumble back and suddenly I had an angry mutant pig in my face.
"What are you doing fool"
"Helping you" charging forward I pushed the other away from me and into the bushes just in time to avoid the fire from some sort of laser gun. Looking for the source of the blast I turned to see Baxter holding one of his gizmos pointed straight at us, anger in his eyes and his glasses sitting bent and broken on his face staring at me in an odd clash of protectiveness and betrayal.
"Thanks for the save dog" the mutant pig yelled, jumping to his feet before rushing toward Baxter.
Looking around I grabbed two large stones, sending the first one toward Baxter knocking the weapon out of his hand the second one bounced off of the car and hit a recovered Rhino straight in the head. The angry mutant was up and once again heading straight for Baxter, the rock knocked him off focus making him trip and stumble into his partner sending the two mutants crashing into a heap on the floor with no clue what happened. With that threat momentary neutralized I sprung to my feat racing to reach Baxter.
"Baxter Stop!" I yelled "You don't have to do this" I held my hands up in an non-threatening manner. Standing strategically between Baxter and the discarded mutagen gun I knew I had only a matter of seconds before the two other players in this dance recovered, and facing Baxter was something I would much rather deal with on my own, thank you very much.
"Yes I do Peter" Baxter let out a humorous laugh trying to push past me. I stepped in front of him again, grabbing his wrist to hold him in place.
"No you Don't!" I yelled pleadingly. "This isn't you, you're not a bad guy." tears stung at my eyes, as I fought against the one person I have always been able to count on in the past. "I understand that you want to protect your life, but you don't have to do this. There are other ways Baxter."
Brown eyes met mine and suddenly I realized I was yelling into the wind. "No there is not" he wasn't hearing me over the fury of his own tirade of fears and insecurities. "This is the only Way!"
I went flying backwards as an angry Rhino went crashing into us. Arms around me never let me hit the ground as suddenly the mutant Pig was racing away from the scene with me in his arms.
"Let me go!" I screamed fighting against my sudden abductor. "You don't understand, he's going to mutate him!" The pig put my down looking into my eyes.
"You know Baxter" it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes" I answered, irritated at being treated like a child and patronized.
"And you know what he's planning?"
"Yes" I screamed again. I pushed past the pig, determined to get back to the fight.
We hadn't gone far, it seemed as though he was just trying to take me out of the heat of the battle probably to protect me. The sound of footsteps alerted me that the stranger was close on my heels, but I didn't care. I needed to get back to the fight before Baxter did something he would regret. I would not let anyone else lose their memory as I had.
I arrived just in time to see Baxter climbing onto the car once more with an angry Rhino running at him full force. I raced forward faster realizing that Baxter had the mutagen gun hidden in the folds of his jacket. I heard the footsteps of the other mutant behind me, not even sparing a glance over my shoulder. I yell behind me. "Get Down! He has the reverse Retro-mutagen!"
"The reverse Retro-what?!"
"Just do It!"
Feat pounding on the ground I realized in a panic I wouldn't make it there in time.
I could hear the sound of tires on gravel, knowing the authorities from animal control were just minutes or maybe seconds away.
I pushed myself to run faster trying in vain to get to the car.
Baxter was laying on the car, the gun held out in front of him, his aim at something right over my shoulder.
"BAX.."
I never finished as a sudden force sent me flying once more. I heard the distant sound of a gun firing, a distant cry of pain, another cry of a more emotional pain and the sound of sirens and then I stopped flying, I hit the ground and everything went black.
I hope I did a good job writing Bebop and Rocksteady's voices, they were hard to write.
This was a fun chapter to write. It's nice to be moving the story plot along.
Please let me know if you have any questions, critiques, thoughts... :)
